Norman Stanley Fletcher
| Norman Stanley Fletcher | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ronnie Barker as Fletcher.
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| Porridge/Going Straight character | |||||||||||||
| Portrayed by |
Ronnie Barker Shaun Williamson |
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| Duration | 1974–77 (Porridge) 1978 (Going Straight) 2003 (Life Beyond the Box) 2009–10 (Porridge: The Stage Show) |
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| First appearance | "Prisoner and Escort (1973) | ||||||||||||
| Last appearance | Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher (2003) | ||||||||||||
| Created by |
Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais |
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| Spin-off appearances |
Going Straight (1978) Life Beyond the Box (2003) |
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| Profile | |||||||||||||
| Occupation |
Pub landlord (former criminal) |
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| Home | Muswell Hill | ||||||||||||
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| Brothers | George Fletcher Rodney Fletcher Harry Fletcher |
|---|---|
| Wife | Isobel Fletcher (divorced) Gloria Fletcher (?—) |
| Sons | Raymond Fletcher |
| Daughters |
Ingrid Fletcher Marion Fletcher |
| Grandsons | Norman Godber Nigel Norman Fletcher |
| Other relatives | Lennie Godber (son-in-law) |
Norman Stanley "Fletch" Fletcher is the main fictional character in the popular BBC sitcom Porridge, and the spin-off, Going Straight. He was played by Ronnie Barker.
He was sentenced to serve the particular stretch of 'porridge' detailed in the series due to a long and failing attempt to steal an articulated truck. The truck was full of alcohol. His plan was to drive the truck to a nearby field where he would leave the truck and make off with some of the booze. But he had no idea on how to drive the truck and ended up crashing into a garden. He was then arrested after the owner of the house called the police. He was arrested for robbery and dangerous driving. Several other offences were taken into consideration.
His tactics range from the practical (stealing pills from the prison doctor and eggs from the prison farmyard), to the symbolic (finding new and imaginative ways to stick two fingers up at Mackay and get away with it). In return, Mackay's frenzied, neurotic attempts to catch Fletch out, when fruitful, give the warder a level of smugness and satisfaction that is only accentuated by his charge's hostility and skulking.
Fletch is also surprised when this spell in prison finds him taking on the role of the father figure. It is left to him to help Warren when he needs a letter read or written, and to oversee new, younger inmates such as McClaren and Godber.
As Fletch's cellmate, Godber became a close associate, and is frequently involved in his various schemes. The doe-eyed, optimistic Brummie was the perfect sidekick for the grouchy, world-weary Londoner, and the banter between the two became one of the main attractions of the series.
This was best illustrated in the ambitious episode "A Night In", a bottle episode set entirely in relative darkness within the confines of their cell, with only the pair's conversation for entertainment.
Fletch is also manipulative, and can play upon the sympathies and weaknesses of people like the liberal warden, Mr Barrowclough, and the ineffectual prison governor to acquire more pleasant employment, accommodation or special privileges.
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Wikipedia